Kiwi Students Take Top Innovation Prizes

New Zealand | 23 October 2026

From AI in the classroom to accessible communication: Kiwi students take top innovation prizes

From making conversations more accessible, to helping teachers navigate the rise of generative AI in the classroom, young New Zealanders have put real-world issues at the centre of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026.

Now in its sixth year in Aotearoa, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a nationwide competition run in partnership with the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) and Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ). It challenges New Zealand’s next generation of innovators to apply design thinking and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) to develop solutions that make a positive difference in their communities.

This year, the expert judging panel comprised Dr Joel Rindelaub and Dr Siouxsie Wiles from the University of Auckland, Dr Ratu Mataira of OpenStar Technologies, MOTAT’s Head of Education Julie Baker, and Sarah Washbrooke from TENZ.

First place in the years 7–10 category was awarded to Gabriel Anthony, a Year 10 student at Whitby Collegiate in Porirua, for Real Mahi. His tool records how a piece of writing is created, including typing, pasting and editing, to give teachers evidence they can use when assessing its authenticity against generative AI use. Gabriel interviewed teachers and conducted in-depth testing with them to refine how it works. He previously won the same category in 2024 with his project Pill Bot.

First place in the years 11–13 category was awarded to Jack Harker, a Year 11 student at ACG Parnell College in Auckland, for Parley. The communication tool is designed to help people who struggle to speak take part in real-time conversations. Jack’s inspiration for the tool was his uncle who has cerebral palsy, who helped him develop the tool through testing and feedback, refining its features to respond to his needs. He previously won the junior category in 2025 with his Sail Race Tracker project.

Second place in the years 7–10 category was awarded to Silas Goh, a Year 9 student at Kingsway School in Auckland, for BrainKey. His prototype uses brainwaves as passwords, exploring a way for people who struggle to remember passwords to access their accounts. Silas gathered brainwave data from 47 people to develop and test the system.

Second place in the years 11–13 category was awarded to Jiacheng He, a Year 13 student at Kristin School in Auckland, for his Taproot Weed Removal Robot. He developed a working prototype designed to remove taproot weeds from lawns, using stakeholder feedback and testing to improve the design.

The teachers, and schools that helped inspire these young creators will also get a share of the prize pool, which totals $24,000 of cash and Samsung tech.

“This year was our toughest competition yet - with only a few points separating first, second and highly commended,” says Julie Baker, Head of Education at MOTAT.

“Our winners were able to clearly demonstrate a need and purpose for their ideas, as well as show how it was tested and refined using real world feedback. However, the entries were all so incredible and it really challenged the judges when doing the marking. This competition has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2021 and we’re excited to see what next year’s competition will bring when it launches at the start of term 2, 2027.”

Simon Smith, Head of Brand Marketing at Samsung Electronics New Zealand, adds:

“Solve for Tomorrow continues to showcase the incredible creativity and problem-solving spirit of our tamariki and rangatahi. It’s inspiring to see the next generation using STEAM to develop ideas that could make a positive difference in their communities. Every year we’re amazed by energy the entrants bring. Samsung is proud to support young Kiwi innovators, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to develop their ideas.”

The high calibre of entries across both age categories led the judges and Samsung to recognise three highly commended projects alongside the first- and second-place winners.

Highly commended in the years 7–10 category was awarded to Luke Huang, a Year 9 student at Rangitoto College in Auckland, for Project FlowMark. His prototype is a free-floating buoy designed to measure water pollution as it travels downstream.

Two highly commended awards were presented in the years 11–13 category. James Wang, a Year 12 student at Saint Kentigern College in Auckland, developed Range Runner, a robot designed to make collecting golf balls easier for golfers.

Izzy Spreitzer, a Year 13 student at Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland, was recognised for her Sensory Board. Inspired by her work with children with special needs, she developed an affordable board for outdoor, independent play, incorporating visual and stimulatory experiences.

The winners were celebrated during a ceremony at MOTAT in Auckland on 22 October, joined by their families, friends, industry experts and members of the judging panel.

ENDS

About Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Delivered in partnership with the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) and Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ), the Solve for Tomorrow competition is designed to build interest and proficiency in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). The nationwide competition tasks students in years 7–13 to identify and create a solution for an issue important to them and their community. Entries are judged on creativity and originality, relevance to the community, feasibility of the solution, presentation and application of STEAM.

This is Samsung Solve for Tomorrow’s sixth year in New Zealand. To find out more, visit www.samsung.com/nz/solvefortomorrow.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

About the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT):
MOTAT explores Aotearoa New Zealand’s stories of science, technology and innovation through interactive exhibitions, experiences and education programmes. Inspiring curiosity, creativity and problem-solving, MOTAT offers curriculum-aligned Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) learning opportunities both at the museum and in schools, helping young people develop skills and ideas to shape the future. Visit MOTAT.NZ/learning

About TENZ:
Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ) is a non-profit professional, collaborative association, promoting and supporting all levels of technology education in Aotearoa New Zealand. TENZ is organised by teachers for teachers, and our aim is to enhance the learning and teaching of technology by creating a well-informed, well connected, supportive and sustainable professional community that has a strong voice and provides effective advocacy for technology education. Visit tenz.org.nz.

For more information, please contact:

Jake McGill, Acumen on behalf of Samsung Electronics New Zealand
+64 21 023 76107
jmcgill@acumennz.com

Simon Smith, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
+64 27 667 6664
simon.smith@samsung.com

Samantha Perry, MOTAT
+64 21 680 335
samantha.perry@motat.org.nz